Damietta University participates in the celebration of launching the “Empowerment” initiative to raise awareness about the rights of people of determination and support their integration into Egyptian universities in the Delta Region Universities Alliance. The University President witnesses the inauguration of “Awareness Week on the Rights of People with Disabilities” within the Delta Universities Region within the framework of the initiative launched by the Ministry of Higher Education in cooperation with the global “Givers of Hope” campaign. Today, Sunday, November 10, 2024, Professor Dr. Hemdan Rabie Al-Metwally, President of the University, witnessed the launch of the “Empowerment” initiative activities at the universities of the Delta Region Alliance, in Peoples’ Square at Mansoura University, which was launched by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with the International Hope Givers Campaign, to raise awareness of the rights and duties of students with disabilities. Concerns within Egyptian universities, Providing equal opportunities for them, in the presence of Professor Dr. Sherif Youssef Khater, President of Mansoura University, and the heads of the universities of the Delta Region Alliance: Dr. Reda Hegazy, President of Al-Riyada University and former Minister of Education, Dr. Moawad Al-Kholy, President of New Mansoura University, Dr. Yahya Al-Mashad, President of Delta University of Science and Technology, Dr. Al-Saeed Abd Al Hady, President of Horus University, Dr. Mohamed Hussein Mahmoud, Acting President of Tanta University, a group of vice presidents of participating universities, and delegations of students from Damietta University and the universities of the Delta region alliance. The launch of this initiative comes within the framework of the state’s ongoing efforts to promote the rights of people of determination, support their integration into society, and spread awareness of their rights and duties in Egyptian universities. The activities of the initiative’s launching ceremony included the opening of the art exhibition, inauguration activities in Peoples’ Square, and the President of the Mansoura University Student Union presenting the torch of the week’s activities to the President of Mansoura University, where he kindly lit it, announcing the start of the activities. Then followed a queue of torchbearers from the participating universities, raising the picture of His Excellency President Abd Al Fattah El-Sisi, launching balloons and flags, surrounded by white doves as an expression of love and affection between the universities of the region. In his opening speech, Professor Dr. Sherif Khater, President of Mansoura University, welcomed the presence of all participating delegations, expressing his pride in Mansoura University hosting this event, and thanked His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his complete and unlimited support for the file of people of determination and working to integrate them into all aspects of life. Building bridges of communication with our children of determination, and giving them equal opportunities that enable them to participate effectively alongside the rest of society, as paying attention to university youth and developing their capabilities is a fundamental pillar of the Egyptian state’s strategy for sustainable development and Egypt’s Vision 2030. Then the celebration activities began inside the large conference hall of the University’s College of Commerce, with a presentation by Dr. Sherif Khater included an account of the role of the Egyptian state in protecting people of determination during the last ten years. It also included the role of Mansoura University and the educational, research, and community services it provides, psychological support, and family guidance to enhance the empowerment of people of determination. As well as the pioneering role of the Center for Services for People with Disabilities at the university since its opening in 2020, which is one of 24 centers at the level of Egyptian universities. The ceremony’s activities also included presenting the success stories of a number of people of determination regarding their personal experiences, and how they dealt with their disabilities and did not give up, but rather defied all obstacles with their will, so that disability turned into a source of inspiration and creativity, stressing that contentment, patience, and will lead to an inspiring epic, which makes people of determination active partners. In society, able to fully integrate. Inspirational stories of visionary examples of university students in the region were also presented. The celebration activities concluded with artistic performances by the Mansoura University Music Orchestra and Choir. It is worth noting that the Delta Region Universities Alliance is one of seven regional alliances formed by the Ministry of Higher Education within the framework of the National Strategy for Higher Education and Scientific Research in light of the presidential initiative Alliance and Development, To enhance cooperation and exchange of experiences between various universities, unify efforts to achieve development, and develop comprehensive development plans for each region, based on scientific studies that meet its specific needs, and work to link scientific research with the needs of local industry, to increase productivity and improve the quality of Egyptian products, and to develop the skills of university graduates to be qualified. To meet the requirements of the labor market. The Delta Region Universities Alliance includes 14 universities, namely the universities of “Mansoura, Damietta Tanta, Menoufia, Kafr El Sheikh, Delta, Sadat, Horus, Al Salam, Delta Technological, New Mansoura, Al Reyadah, Mansoura National, and Samannoud Technological.”